Friday, March 08, 2013

First we have coffee...

Since our little chit-chat about March and coffee and lambs and all sorts of things, I thought I'd talk with you over a hot mug of coffee. Pom Pom reminded me of a book called First We Have Coffee which is one of my most favorite books ever. Margaret Jensen has a way of living the Gospel and loving others in the simplest way -- over a pot of coffee. The stories she tells remind me of of all the times when Jesus healed someone and then told those who were there, "Give her/him something to eat." And when he told the disciples to gather up a few loaves of bread and fish to feed the 5,000 hungry people who were listening to Him preach all afternoon, He had human hunger in mind. Giving people food and drink has its practical purposes, but it also has its spiritual purposes. Remember the Ghandi quote from a couple weeks ago? There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread. Well, that's the idea behind Margaret Jensen's book. If you find a copy, you will be greatly blessed.

In the picture above, I'm showing you my favorite way to brew a single mug of coffee. I have been making my afternoon mug o' joe this way for many years. I use a Melitta Single Cup pour-over thingy. What I love about it is that it takes just minutes to boil the water and pour it over coffee grounds. It's simple, it's hot, and the taste is superb! I also like that I can take it with me when Hubs and I go on a trip. (I told you I was a coffee snob.) The last time we went to a week-long golf tournament, I packed my coffee, filters, and my red funnel. All I need is boiled water, and most hotels have one of those little coffee pots in the room or hot water in the lobby. I never have to worry about drinking yukky coffee that way and it's easy to pack.

Doesn't this look good enough to drink? Well, almost. I swear, sometimes I think I could eat coffee beans. You've had the chocolate covered ones, yes? Yes!

Instead of eating coffee beans, I had this cute little Snickers Egg along with my afternoon coffee. See how it's melting on the side of the mug? Oh yeah! I have five more if you want one to go with your coffee.

Hubs and I go out every morning and feed the ewes and lambs both alfalfa hay and cake. It's been so cold and windy and March-y that they need the extra nutrition to keep their lambs well fed. The lambs even nibble on the hay like their mothers.

We've had lots of lambs with speckles and spots this spring. I like them. They remind me of the Old Testament story of Jacob working seven years to obtain Rachel's hand in marriage from her father, Laben. Eventually while tending sheep all those years, Jacob made a deal with Laban that the lambs that were born spotted and speckled would be part of the dowry. (Genesis 30) The deal ended in Jacob's favor because he knew how to breed sheep. We didn't plan to breed our lambs to be spotted and speckled, but some came out that way. Now we are wondering which buck bred the spots.

The bum lambies left for a new home today. The six went to a family with nice little children who will love them. They also have goats so the lambies will have delicious, nutritious goat milk rather than the powdered stuff I was feeding them. They are lucky lambs indeed!

Yesterday a special gift flew down to me. I was out feeding the sheep and noticed the bluest-of-blue bluebirds on the barb wire fence. I couldn't believe my eyes! As you can see from the pictures above, it is extremely dry and brown out here. To see the bluebird against the dull background you see was most impressive. I stopped and glassed the bird with my binoculars. I believe it was a Western Bluebird. I didn't get a really clear look at him, but I think the beak was thicker than the Mountain Bluebird that I sometimes see during migration and he had the rosy color on his breast. Bluebirds never stay here, but just fly on through. Still, it was a treat for my eyes. A Bluebird of Happiness -- more evidence of spring migration.

I can imagine your delight upon seeing that blue birdie! I do love the birds, too!First! That's what our Brad and I used to say before we did . . . well, ANYTHING! I was always drinking coffee in the afternoons and a cup of coffee really helps settle up good plans and encourages us to take a pause. I read that book over and over and over again. There is nothing like a devoted mother and she made such an impression on me with her willing heart, hardworking attitude, and gentle hospitable ways. When I ponder giving up coffee (gasp!) I say to myself, "Self, you could never give up coffee because of Margaret Jensen." It's true.I must get me some Snickers eggs asap! LOVE to you and the lambs and the calves!

That little pause in the day, for coffee and reading or whatever, has become a very special time for me. Something I really look forward to each day. I agree, Margaret Jensen made me see coffee time in a whole new light. Getchya some Snickers Eggs!

Oh yum. Yes to the coffee, please, it looks wonderful. I might should pass on the snicker egg because I just ate a boston cream cupcake (shoot...I should've taken a picture of it). Love that you saw a BBOH!! I love those sweet little beautiful birds. I wish you many more sightings. :)

I have a French Press pot too and a Melitta with a larger funnel/drip thingy that goes over a glass coffee pot. I love it too. Sometimes I use the funnel over a heated carafe so I don't have coffee sitting on a warmer. You sound rather coffee-snobbish too! I'm glad. I'm in good company!

I need to get one of those thingys! I LOVE that you take it with you when you travel. I'm coffeed out right now (already drank four cups today), but I'm enjoying a Nutella hot chocolate while I read. Such sweet lambs! How fun to know where the bummies went!